Explosive compoundv



tree States -i arnrtr Urrrcn.

JOHN F. A. MUHM, OF DAYTON, KENTUCKY.

EXPLOSWE COM PQU N D.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 417,577, dated December17, 1889.

Application filed September 24, 1889, Serial K0. 32 L,923. (Nospecimens.)

To (all 2071 0121, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, J OHN F. A. MUMM, of Dayton, in the county ofCampbell and State of Kentucky, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Explosive Compounds, of which the following is a full,clear, and exact description.

This invention consists in a new composition of matter or explosivecompound suitable for railway fog-signals or torpedoes, for chargingbombs and grenades, and for blasting and shooting purposes. I

. My composition consists of the following in gredients, combined in orabout the proportions stated, viz: chlorate of pot-ash one pound,(sixteen ounces;) antimony, (pure needlepowderei) eight ounces;charcoal, one

1 ounce; refined flowers of sulphur, two ounces;

glycerine, one ounce; collodion, one ounce; sulphuric acid, four drops;nitric acid, two drops; alcohol, three ounces water, two to 3' threeounces.

In the preparation of this compound I first put the alcohol and water ina mortar and then add thereto the glycerine and the sulphuric and nitricacids and mix thc'whole together. I then introduce into this mixture thechlorate of potash and allow it to soak for ashort time. In a separatevessel or mortar I also mix the antimony, charcoal, and

weight, onto boards covered with pasteboard or other paper, to removemoisture by absorption, which operation may be repeated upon anotherlike-covered board'till the compound is dry and ready to put up for use.Forrail: way fog-signals or torpedoes I usually put it tup in tin boxeslined with waxed n1anila tissue-paper to keep the box from rusting andthe composition dry, and to give increased safety during transportation,by keeping the metal surface of the box free from contact and frictionwith it. Said box, however, is not wholly filled with the compound, butthe latter has placed upon the top of it a frictional substance, asusual in torpedo-like signals, to provide for the fulininate being morereadily ignited-such as a few loose pieces of broken glass, inpreference to pelletsafter which the whole is covered with waxed manilapaper and the box closed as tight as itis practicable to make it.

To use the compound for making bombs or grenades, it should be put inthe shells with a leather or rubber funnel and provision made for.lighting the explosive either by a fulminate cap or by a time-fuse.

For blasting purposes, the compound should be putup in cartridge-shellsand the same be exploded either by electricity or tuse;

For gunning or shooting purposes, the compound should not be used loose,but in car tridges, which may be exploded by fulminate caps. It may beused for guns of all kinds, including fowling-pieces, rifles, revolvers,and

cannons.

The compound will be found to be much more powerful than ordinarygunpowder, safer to make and handle than dynamite, nitro-glycerine,'andthe like, and is not liable to separate.

I am aware that several of the ingredients named in this compound havebefore been used indifferent combinations for the making of explosives.Such, therefore, separately considered, I do not claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

The within-described explosive com ound, made of or from a mixture ofthe tol owing ingredients, substantiallyin the proportions specified, towit: chlorate of potash, antimony, charcoal, [lowers of sulphur,glycerin'c, collodion, sulphuric acid, nitric acid, alcohol, and

JOHN F. A. MUMM.

Witnesses:

ARTHUR J SMITH, R. l}. Wnson.

